Canadian Freebie Finder

January 07, 2015

#freebies Free January Fun - Winter Crafts and Books at Your Library! International

January -time for winter woolies, and mittens here in Canada. Where can you find free winter fun ? At your local library! Your library card is a free ticket to lots of fun for kids and adults! This post has some free winter themed craft printables as well as some suggestions for books you might like to check out at your local library.

What are your favourite books to read on a wintery day? Here are a few of our favourites, along with free crafts and printables based on those books. Note the books are not free, but you can borrow them for free at your local library.

The Mitten - Written and Illustrated by Jan Brett

The Mitten, a cumulative folk tale has several retellings, but one of my favourite is written and illustrated by Jan Brett. A young boy's mitten is lost in the forest where numerous animals try to squeeze inside. Finally the mitten is sent flying through the air back to his home when one too many tries to squeeze inside.

A Random House newly published original Jewish folktale by Jennifer Rosner, The Mitten String tells the tale of a young girl who knits, a deaf woman, and a blue piece of yarn.

When her family invites a deaf woman and her baby to stay, Ruthie, a talented knitter of mittens, wonders how the mother will know if her child wakes in the night.
The surprising answer inspires Ruthie to knit a special gift that offers great comfort to mother and baby—and to Ruthie herself.
With language and imagery reminiscent of stories told long ago, this modern Jewish folktale will resonate with those who love crafts, anyone who’s encountered someone with physical differences—and with everyone who has ever lost a mitten in the depths of winter. With charming illustrations by Kristina Swarmer this will be a book to enjoy year after year with your family. Perhaps this book may inspire a young knitter in your family too.

Free Knitting Pattern- Maizies Flat Mittens

This free knitting pattern for mittens is great for people like me, who haven't used circular needles before, or who leave their circular needles behind at home by mistake.

The Olden Days Coat - By Margaret Laurence

Published by Tundra Books, The Olden Days Coat is truly a classic by one of Canada’s finest authors, The Olden Days Coat makes an interesting introduction into retelling Canadian History. My grade three students loved this story, and would choose to perform it over and over as a reader's theatre. In The Olden Days Coat, ten-year-old Sal explores the contents of an old trunk at her grandmother's home, and is whisked back through time when she tries on a little girl's winter coat that she discovers. In the past, she makes an unexpected connection to her heritage and her grandmother.
This model tale of time travel was one of Margaret Laurence’s few forays into children’s literature and has remained a favourite of children of all ages.
Art by the original illustrator, Muriel Wood, makes this a beautiful book for all seasons. A special treat for Margaret Laurence fans.

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